1, STEPHEN BAXTER

The 49-year-old, who won two titles as a player with Crusaders under former boss Roy Walker in 1995 and 1997, has done a remarkable job at Seaview.

When Baxter was appointed in February 2005, with his former club ensnared in a relegation scrap, he openly mused that his tenure might be a short one.

Ten years later, he is the second longest serving boss in the league, behind Portadown's Ronnie McFall, and a shoo-in for manager of the year.

On his watch and ably assisted by a loyal backroom staff, Crusaders have won the Setanta Cup, Irish Cup, League Cup, County Antrim Shield and now a first league title in 18 years.

In a recent interview, Baxter suggested the time wasn't right for him to “walk off into the sunset” and swap the football dugout for the sun-kissed fairways of his local golf club.

When he does decide to call it a day, he will go down in Crusaders folklore. His surname will be a byword for success with the Seaview club.

Chairman Stephen Bell will be hoping an inspirational manager who has re-established the Crues as a force in local football puts any potential farewell on the long finger.

2, PAUL HEATLEY

A VIBRANT front-runner for player of the season.

With his low centre of gravity, pace and tricks, there have been numerous times this campaign when Heatley has been unplayable.

Not only has he contributed 26 goals on all fronts (24 of them in the league), the talented 27-year-old has often been the difference in high-stake games.

Since Boxing Day, Heatley has scored nine goals in seven outings against the other top-six clubs in the division.

Last month, Baxter hailed his No22 as “the best player in the league” and a vital ingredient in Crusaders' title winning formula.

“We have a lot of key players, but Paul is the biggest key,” he said.

Few would argue with that assessment.

3, JORDAN OWENS

ONE of the first names on the team sheet.

Owens has led the line superbly for Crusaders, bagging 30 goals in all competitions.

The muscular 25-year-old has been an ideal focal point and imposing target man for the cut and thrust wing play of Paul Heatley and Gavin Whyte.

A real threat in the air and more than assured on the deck, only Cliftonville's Joe Gormley, who has bagged 31 goals in the Danske Bank Premiership, can better Owens' haul of 26 league goals this campaign.

4, SEAN O'NEILL

HIS recent exuberant social media antics merely served to confirm that O'Neill is a colourful and larger than life contributor to the buoyant team spirit at Seaview.

Yet beyond the laughter and wise cracks, 'Oggers' is also a crucial element of Crusaders' first league title in 18 years.

The 27-year-old has been the last line of a rearguard that has kept 11 clean sheets in 36 league fixtures and boasts the best defensive record in the division.

In his last three seasons, O'Neill - who signed from Dungannon Swifts in 2011 – has conceded an average of only 1.1 goals per league game.

With those kind of stats and the Crues' firepower in the final third, it's easy to see why the Crues have enjoyed the last laugh this campaign.

5, A SOLID SPINE

A SOLID spine is crucial in any title winning side and Crusaders boast one of the strongest in the local game.

For most of the season, Baxter has been able to call upon goalkeeper Sean O'Neill, captain Colin Coates and Davy Magowan at centre-back, Richard Clarke and Declan Caddell in centre-midfield and Jordan Owens up top.

Alongside the unruffled Magowan, skipper Coates, who puts his head where rhinos fear to tread, has matured into the best defender in the league.

And has there been a better midfielder than Clarke this season?

The former Glens play maker has been crucial to the Crues' title charge, as has the dynamic Caddell who has curbed his rashness to become one of the most influential midfielders in the local game.

Add Owens to the equation and you have strength of character, experience and quality in key areas.

6, NEW ARRIVALS

STEPHEN Baxter has bolstered his strength and depth by adding wisely to his squad over the course of the past 15 months.

The capture of cultured midfielder Richard Clarke from Glentoran in the 2014 January transfer window was a masterstroke, while the unexpected summer arrival of BJ Burns from Linfield filled a problem area at right-back.

Clarke is the metronome at the heart of the Crues midfield, while Burns offers pace and tenacity, both in defence and as an overlapping threat.

Diarmuid O'Carroll, who joined the club from rivals Cliftonville last May, has also proved a valuable acquisition, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

The New Year signings of Paul O'Flynn from Institute and experienced former Derry City midfielder Barry Molloy also served to inject added competition for places at a vital stage of the campaign.

7, GAVIN WHYTE

Gavin Whyte and Jordon Owens have linked superbly

THE teenager is the surprise package of the campaign and a strong contender for young player of the season.

The 19-year-old has contributed 11 goals in all competitions and emerged as the brightest young talent in the league.

He now looks destined for a career in full-time football, with a number of high-profile English clubs, including Everton and Stoke City, having already scouted him this season.

8, UNSUNG HEROES

TWO names spring to mind: Craig McClean and Timmy Adamson.

Both go about their business without fuss or fanfare, and have been an integral part of Crusaders' title triumph.

Adamson, who arrived at Seaview from Dungannon as a towering frontman four years ago, has proved a versatile cog in the machine, featuring in a number of positions, including midfield and out wide.

Many eyebrows were raised when McClean was signed from Dungannon Swifts in 2012 to challenge established left-back Stephen McBride.

But the 29-year-old, who spent the early part of his career at Ballyclare Comrades and Ballymena United, has repaid Baxter's faith with a series of consistent performances.

The likes of McClean and Adamson rarely attract headlines, but those inside the changing room know the value of their contribution.

9, BIG GAME MENTALITY

CRUSADERS turned up for the six-pointers this season.

In 18 outings against the other five clubs in the top-half of the Danske Bank Premiership, Baxter's men won 11 and drew two.

Their 35 points return from a possible 54 in those top-six showdowns blew nearest rivals Linfield out of the water.

Warren Feeney's Blues have won just five of their 18 games to date against their top-six rivals, taking 20 points from 54 in the process.

10, PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG

BACK in August, most pundits were talking up an anticipated title showdown between defending champions Cliftonville and Warren Feeney's new-look Linfield.

“That spurred us on,” said Baxter last week. “The media was talking about Cliftonville and Linfield. All I heard was Cliftonville and Linfield. Crusaders wasn't mentioned. That suited us. We enjoyed that.”

Despite lengthy odds and doubts in the press, recent history had suggested the Crues would be right up there come the end of the season.

The Seaview men haven't been outside the top-five in the past seven seasons and finished second and third respectively in 2013 and 2014.